Fans are still processing the shocking departure of McDreamy from Grey’s Anatomy. Who would have thought that such a beloved character would meet his end? Television has a storied tradition of eliminating key figures, but occasionally, some characters dodge the bullet—thanks to a change of heart from writers or producers. Here’s a look at a few who were initially marked for death but ultimately lived to see another episode.
1. Jesse Green, Breaking Bad
Aaron Lee, the actor behind Jesse, was unaware that Vince Hartman, the mastermind of the show, planned to write him off at the conclusion of the first season. The original storyline suggested a dark fate that would have sent Walter on a violent rampage, ultimately leading to the demise of his son as well. However, studio executives found this direction unsettling, and Jesse’s character was too popular to let go. He made it through to the series finale, albeit not without his share of turmoil.
2. Cindy Thompson, Lost
Remember Cindy? You might not, as she was initially just “Flight Attendant #1” in the pilot episode, seen serving Jack (played by Matthew Fox) just before the infamous crash of Flight 815. Originally intended to perish in that crash, the producers were impressed by actress Lila Parker and decided to bring her back. By the second season, she was revealed to be alive and living with The Others, making a few more appearances, though her storyline tends to fade from memory.
3. Nicole Warner, Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Who knew the seemingly sweet sister of Kevin Arnold could play such a sinister character? Olivia D’Abo’s portrayal of Nicole Warner, a con artist and murderer, was initially set to conclude with her death in 2005. However, the episode was filmed with two endings—one where she died and another where she escaped. Fans voted, and 53 percent opted to keep her around, so Nicole lived on.
4. Dr. Sarah Bennett, V
In the original V series from the 1980s, Sarah (played by Faye Grant) was slated for a heroic demise in the second season premiere. However, the episode was never aired, and instead, creator Kenneth Johnson penned a novel where Sarah survived, allowing her character to continue on in the story.
5. Mark Franks, Hill Street Blues
Mark (Ed Marinaro) met his demise in the first season, but producers had a change of heart, revealing that he had been rushed to the hospital in time to survive. Unfortunately, he was ultimately written off for good in season six. Interestingly, Andy Rogers (Charles Haid) was also meant to die early on but instead became a fan favorite.
6. Periwinkle ‘Peri’ Blue, Doctor Who
Nicola Bryant played the first American companion on Doctor Who, experiencing a dramatic on-screen death when an alien monster transferred its brain into her body, leading to her demise. Fans later learned she had miraculously survived and married a warrior king, providing a happy twist to her fate.
7. Chloe, Farscape
Initially, Chloe (Gigi Edgley) was supposed to perish while saving the hero Crichton (Ben Browder), but her charm and appeal convinced the writers to keep her alive, allowing her character to flourish until the series finale.
8. Emma Richards, ER
Emma Richards (Leslie Moore) was introduced as a love interest for Dr. Luka Kovac (Goran Visnjic) and was originally scripted to die in a tragic car accident caused by Luka. However, writer David Zabel couldn’t bring himself to kill her off since he named her after his wife. The storyline was altered, and she survived to leave the series safely.
As any soap opera viewer knows, death on TV is hardly ever permanent. Characters often return through clever plot twists, flashbacks, or alternate realities. So while McDreamy’s fate was sealed, there’s always a chance for a comeback in the world of television.
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Summary:
This article explores various beloved TV characters who were originally slated for death but managed to survive because of changes made by producers and writers. From Jesse Green in Breaking Bad to Chloe in Farscape, many characters have experienced near-death scenarios. The ability of these characters to escape their fates highlights the unpredictable nature of television storytelling.